Integrated supply management student receives prestigious scholarship

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University integrated supply management student Edward Mulford has been awarded a coveted Transportation Club of Detroit scholarship for 2017.

The $3,000 scholarship recognizes Mulford's drive to reach the highest standards of education, as well as the effort he puts in outside of the classroom. The formal award ceremony will be held in October. This marks the fifth year in a row that a WMU student has been the recipient of the scholarship.

"Being awarded a scholarship from such an outstanding organization is an honor," Mulford says. "I look forward to pursuing my passion for continuous personal improvement as well as helping others find their own passions."

Edward Mulford

Mulford was a team lead with Bronco Force, a student and faculty consultancy where teams offer expertise to address supply chain challenges for companies. Mulford credits Bronco Force with helping him to expand his skill set by taking knowledge from the classroom and applying it immediately to a business process in order to reduce waste and increase value.

Through Bronco Force and internships, Mulford has had the opportunity to work with Eaton Corp., ETNA Supply and Meijer. He is also a member of the Lee Honors College and has completed more than 300 volunteer hours in the last three years with Kalamazoo Gospel Mission and United Way, among others. Mulford has studied abroad as part of the German Business and Culture Program. On top of his professional, academic and volunteer accomplishments, Mulford has served as a Fall Welcome ambassador since his freshman year, was the professionalism chair for the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and is the president of WMU's APICS student chapter.

Mulford's passion for learning and high level of involvement is no surprise to Dr. Sime Curkovic, professor of supply chain management.

"Eddie is arguably the most engaged student I have ever seen," Curkovic says. "He takes on leadership roles, but also follows others and supports their leadership skills. He is incredibly capable, but also incredibly humble."

WMU's ISM Program

Ranked in the top 10 nationally, WMU's ISM program has been recognized by several organizations and publications for its leadership in preparing students for careers in supply chain management. WMU's curriculum combines engineering, information technology, logistics, supply chain and business education. The program also requires internships and includes Bronco Force transformation teams, which give students additional hands-on experience addressing supply chain challenges. The WMU Center for Integrated Supply Management was established in 2014 and is housed in the Haworth College of Business.